Key Takeaways

• Jack Dorsey proposes a “mini-AGI” company model where AI performs the coordination tasks usually handled by middle managers.

• This vision comes on the heels of Block cutting 4,000 employees (40% of its staff) in early 2026 to lean into AI efficiency.

• The proposed workplace replaces hierarchy with three human roles: individual contributors, “directly responsible individuals” (DRIs), and player-coaches.

Jack Dorsey is no stranger to radical ideas, but his latest proposal for the future of work might be his most disruptive yet. Weeks after Block (formerly Square) slashed its headcount by 40%, Dorsey and lead independent director Roelof Botha have unveiled a plan to dismantle the traditional corporate hierarchy.

Their thesis is simple: human middle management is a bottleneck. In a new blog post, they argue that AI shouldn’t just be a “copilot” for existing structures but should replace the structures themselves. By treating a company as a “mini-AGI,” Dorsey aims to create a workplace where information flows at the speed of light, unhindered by reports and meetings.

Human management is too slow, Jack Dorsey and Botha say

According to the Block leadership, the standard hierarchical model is a relic of a pre-digital age. In a remote-first world where work is machine-readable, AI can track project status, identify blocks, and allocate resources in real-time. Dorsey and Botha argue that companies move fast or slow based on information flow, and human layers inevitably slow that flow down.

“The question was never whether you needed layers. The question was whether humans were the only option for what those layers do. They aren’t anymore,” the post explains.

By removing the “coordination mechanism” of human managers, Block intends to operate with a flat structure where technology handles the “who, what, and when” of daily operations.

People will still play a key role

Despite the grim outlook for middle managers, Dorsey insists that humans remain the ethical and strategic heart of the company. In this AI-integrated vision, staff are reorganized into specialized categories. Individual contributors focus on the deep work of building systems.

Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs) act as “problem solvers” with total autonomy over their resources. Finally, Player-coaches provide mentorship and guidance while remaining active in the “trenches” of coding and building. This model seeks to eliminate “people whose only job is to manage people,” ensuring that everyone on the payroll is directly adding value to the product.

Final Thoughts

Dorsey’s “mini-AGI” experiment is a bold gamble on the future of labor. If successful, it could redefine the modern corporation; if it fails, it may serve as a cautionary tale of over-reliance on automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Block rehire anyone after the layoffs?
Yes, reports indicate that some staff let go in February were quietly brought back in March to fill specific roles.

What is a “Player-Coach”?
A senior employee who mentors others but also spends a significant portion of their time doing technical work (like coding).

Does AI make all the decisions?
No, Dorsey states that humans will still handle high-level business strategy and ethical decision-making.